Analyst Predicts 50% Chance of Final Iran Nuclear Deal

News ID: 566796 Service: Nuclear

November, 23, 2014 - 18:25

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A US political analyst said there is a fifty-fifty chance that Iran and six major world powers reach an agreement in principle on all the key issues that would in turn pave the way for a comprehensive nuclear deal by November 24.

“Diplomatic sources on both sides of the negotiating table tell us that if the remaining gaps on two or three of the critical issues can be resolved, agreement on other items may fall into place, allowing the two sides to reach an agreement in principle,” Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association told Tasnim on Sunday.

“They say that the technical solutions to these issues have been presented and discussed but a ‘win-win’ agreement that defines Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for very significant sanctions relief requires the necessary political will,” he added.

“I believe the chances the two sides can reach an agreement in principle on all the key issues is 50-50. Now is the time for the top leaders in Iran and Washington to show the flexibility and courage necessary to seize this historic opportunity,” he noted.

Since Tuesday, senior diplomats from Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) have launched a new round of talks in Vienna to draft a lasting accord, meant to end years of Western standoff over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.

The talks are expected to continue until November 24, a self-imposed deadline for the talks.

On November 24, 2013, Iran and the Group 5+1 (also referred to as the P5+1 or E3+3) signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) came into effect in January and expired in July, when the parties decided to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a lasting accord.